Spurs Sparkle As Solanke Provides The Fireworks

When in the ninety-sixth minute James Maddison bent a free kick around the Aston Villa wall into the net that left keeper Emi Martinez rooted to the middle of the goal to put Spurs 4-1 up yesterday manager Ange Postecoglu stood on the touchline and politely clapped. This applause was similar in its manner to the way that you might as a teacher clap as the Headmaster introduced a local councillor to open the School Fete.

Maddison makes it 4-1

This was by no means a slight on Maddison, who he cuddled father-like at the end of the game. He'd actually applauded in the same way when Solanke had made it 2-1 with a sublime finish following some beautiful build up play starting with Ben Davies and going through Pape Sarr, Brennan Johnson and Dejan Kulusevski. It was more to me that a week after watching the side do basically exactly the opposite of what he'd asked them to do, this week his message had got across and they'd carried out his half-time instructions to the tee.

Solanke finishes brilliantly to put us 2-1 up

Selection wise, maybe there was a teensy-little bit more pragmatism by starting both Bentancur and Sarr, sitting just behind Kulusevski. The obvious change was made at the back with the injured van der Ven being replaced by Dragusin and fit again Sonny came in on the left hand side of attack.

The first half played out like so many do in the modern game, not just at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The away side, even a terrific team like Aston Villa, employed a "low block" which is actually modern parlance for putting nine men behind the ball. Parking the bus as someone who regularly parked the bus once said when it happened against his own side. 

Spurs struggled to create any clearcut openings and of course Villa scored. Despite this being only the second goal we've conceded from a set piece this season, the TV commentators described it as our 'achilles heel'. I suppose that's the same as the way the media have spent the last week going on about the injury crisis at another London club only for them to pitch up at Newcastle with only one first choice player missing. 

The understandable nervousness among the home crowd was somewhat relieved four minutes into the half when Sonny attacked down the left and swung in a beautiful cross that was converted on the far post by Johnson. Had he not scored it would surely have been a penalty as Torres was all over Solanke in the middle preventing him from getting to the cross ahead of Brennan.

Almost immediately Son sent Odogie away down the wing, he came inside and fed Solanke who forced a good save from Martinez. At this point it felt the tide was turning, but a few minutes after there was surprise around the stadium when the substitution board went up. Bissouma was on for Bentancur but Son was withdrawn as well for Richarlison. If the crowd were surprised then the captain was even more so.

Just five minutes later and Ben Davies was on, replacing Romero who appeared to have hurt his foot making a crunching tackle on Rogers. Shortly afterwards Emery sent on Jhon Duran so our makeshift centre back pairing had to cope with both him and Ollie Watkins. Many would have been worried, but they both coped admirably for the remainder of the match.

Solanke then scored to make it 2-1 and this was swiftly followed by the third. Sarr intercepted the ball for the umpteenth time in the middle of the pitch broke forward at pace fed Richarlison who crossed at pace for Solanke to finish first time. Unfortunately his assist led to Richarlison picking up a muscle strain and he was withdrawn immediately and replaced by Maddison. To say Richy has been unlucky with injuries since he joined the club would be an understatement. Hopefully this one won't be too serious.

Pape Sarr, so much energy that if the Tories were still in they'd privatise him.

The heart had gone from Villa at this point and the last quarter of an hour including the stoppages was pretty comfortable for Spurs. It also culminated in Maddison adding the fourth goal.

Ange applauds as the players attempt a human pyramid.

Perhaps this was the best forty five minutes under Ange as has been suggested. Its hard to say because when it clicks for his Spurs side they really look almost unstoppable. Its also now twenty four points won at home from losing positions in 2024. That's pretty impressive but perhaps it might be better to stop going behind so often? Also, some comebacks from conceding first away from home would help as well.

Thursday brings a return to European action with a trip to Istanbul, the home of Galatasaray. Lord knows what the team will be. Definately out, van der Ven, Odebert, Richarlison and Spence who can't play anyway. Possibly joining them Romero. I expect at least three of the teenagers will start, probably all four of them. This will be a great test for them because whilst it was hostile in Hungary, this will be of a different level. The first three games going our way has left a bit of leeway but it'll be nice to keep the unbeaten run going. Pretty sure it won't be nil nil as ex-Spur Davison Sanchez is bound to score for the home team. That's what always happens is it?